Why Athletes Need a Deep Tissue Massage Before or After a Competition

Athletes, and especially runners, know all too well how many continuous and repeated muscle contractions that the exertions of their sports require. The more numerous such contractions are, the greater the resulting amount of power, speed, and distance are produced by the athlete's body. The downside to all of this athletic outpouring is that it leads to tightened muscles, decreased circulation, joint range motion loss, and overall tiredness in the muscles. Massage as the Ultimate Athlete's Tonic Massage is utilized to stretch out the muscles, improve the joint range motion, reduce the tightness in the muscles, and improve the weakened circulation. These benefits of deep tissue massage for athletes and runners also lessen the stress and assist the athlete in relaxing in advance of the big event or race. This is why both athletes in general and runners in particular seek out massage in Des Moines, IA before and after the competition.
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Touch of Healing: The Numerous Health Benefits of Massage Therapy

Years ago, a massage was something that people regarded as a luxurious way of relaxing and soothing the body. These days, however, more people are considering massage therapy as an effective way of keeping the body healthy and reducing the risk of acquiring certain diseases. Aside from rest and relaxation, massage therapy likewise offers the following health benefits.
http://bladesmassagetherapy.com/touch-of-healing-the-numerous-health-benefits-of-massage-therapy/

Massage is More Than Just Pampering: How It Eases Injury or Illness

After a long, tiring day, you might think of having a massage as one of the best ways to unwind. It’s a great “me-time” after the anxieties or burdens at work, on the road, or at home. With the right amount of pressure, the therapy’s strokes can help you forget the daily pressures for a while and focus on relaxation. Despite its reputation as a relaxing treatment, a massage is more than just a way to pamper yourself. It has also been proven to help ease the discomfort associated with several injuries and illnesses. From headaches and strained muscles to sports injuries and chronic disorders like fibromyalgia, the conditions massage therapy can address are diverse and are commonly suffered by people of all ages.
http://bladesmassagetherapy.com/massage-is-more-than-just-pampering-how-it-eases-injury-or-illness/

Des Moines Massage - Is Massage A Good Alternative Therapy For Arthritis?

These days, many people suffering from the difficulties of arthritis, are turning to massage therapy to address both the pain and the stiffness that comes from arthritis.



Maybe you haven't tried massage yet because you don't know what to expect, then this article will help you by addressing your concerns and showing you how massage can be effective in the management of your arthritis.



Did you know there are over 100,000 massage therapists at work in the United States. You will find them practicing massage therapy in many settings; hospitals, massage therapy centers, wellness centers or private practices. People turn to them for help in; easing pain, rehabilitation from an injury, reduce stress, ease anxiety and depression, and to improve their overall well being.



SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE?

When it comes to chronic pain conditions, massage can have a multitude of benefits. If done correctly, massage can provide a wonderful break from the stress of living with arthritis or another stressful conditions. It can assist you in relaxation, which helps healing and reduces stress. It also can help reduce pain, improve your joint movement, relax muscle tension, and stimulate the blood flow through out your body. For those of you who suffer from arthritis, massage should be considered as a complementary therapy. Meaning that it should be used in combination with, other regular medical treatments such as pain medicine or physical therapy..



RELAXATION

It is easy to see, the biggest benefit of massage is relaxation. Massage should relieve stress and bring a sense of well being to your body. No one knows exactly why or how massage encourages relaxation, but some speculate that massage triggers the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which supports the body's restorative processes, muscle tension is improved, the heart rate slows, and the fight-or-flight response is revered.



CIRCULATION

Massage can also help your circulation by increase the flow of blood. Massage is thought to encourage the flow of lymph in the body.  Lymph is a fluid that circulates throughout the body; the cells in lymph help fight infection and disease. During a relaxing massage, local circulation may increase, but systemic circulation actually slows down. This is evidenced by lowered blood pressure, lower body temperature, and slower breathing. This helps explain why many people actually become cooler during massage.



PAIN RELIEF

There is also some evidence that massage can actually bring relief from pain. People who are getting a massage certainly think it does. Studies done by the American Massage Therapy Association that showed 93% of the people who tried a massage, felt it was effective for pain relief. Although there are many theories out there for why a massage relieves pain, some researchers speculate that massage encourages the release of pain-relieving hormones or that massage may block pain signals that are sent to the brain.



Improved Joint Movement

Through the use of direct pressure, massage affects the muscles and connective tissues in the body, increasing mobility. This increases the range of motion in the joints and results in less stiffness in the muscles, tendons and ligaments for those who suffer from arthritis.



Blades Massage and Wellness is a certified, massage therapy and wellness center located in Des Moines. Blades Massage was voted one of the <a href=http://www.BladesMassage.com>Best Massages in Des Moines</a> by readers of Cityview Magazine in Des Moines, IA for the past 4 years.

Click here,to learn more about the <a href=http://www.DesMoinesIowaMassage.com>benefits of massage</a> or visit us at <a href=http://www.DesMoinesIowaMassage.com>http://www.DesMoinesIowaMassage.com</a>

 

Blades Massage & Wellness, 4725 Merle Hay Road, Suite 106, Des Moines, IA 50322

Five Questions You Should Ask Your Massage Therapist

Have you noticed how popular massage has become over the last few years? Massage is quickly becoming the popular way to relax from our busy lives. Massage is also becoming more affordable and new massage therapy spas are showing up all over the place.



Now this is great news for the massage industry, but what are the effects on the local customer that needs real relief and relaxation?  It seems that when something becomes more visible, it also holds the possibility of decreasing in quality for the average consumer.



So how can you be sure that you are receiving the best massage? Here's some of the top questions you should ask your local massage therapist before booking your appointment.



Question 1. (What different types of massage do you perform?

Did you know that there are over 50 different types of massage styles and massage techniques? Find out what your massage therapist focuses on. If a therapist focuses on deep tissue massage and sports massage, and you are looking for a relaxation massage, then your therapist needs to know your desired result.



It's a good idea to ask your massage therapist about the different types of massage they use and what are the benefits of each massage technique. Also ask "how will I feel after your massage?" This will help you determine which massage style is right for you.



Question 2. Are you a professional massage therapist and licensed in Iowa?

You want to make sure that the therapist is licensed professional. There is a National Certification Agency for massage therapists called, National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). All states do not require a national certification, although you can be sure that therapist who acquire it are dedicated to their craft since it requires them to take a standardized test.



As long as the massage therapist is licensed in your respective state, they have followed the required certification requirements.



Question 3. Do you have testimonials from other clients?

Discover what other customers have said about the potential massage therapist you are thinking of going to. This is one of the best ways to evaluate any massage therapist. Look at their website and take time to read their client comments. If the massage therapist does not have any testimonials on their website, you may not want to hire them.



Question 4. What do you do for stress relief?

Ask them if they get  massage treatments. If they do not regularly schedule time to relax and take care of their health, how can they really be in a position to help you relieve you stress?



Also, remember that massage is a type of relaxation therapy. Those who take care of themselves will be better prepared to care for you.



Question 5. How long have you been a massage therapist?

Unfortunately, some therapist don't stay with it very long. The average career span of a massage therapist is very short: 1-3 years. If the therapist has been practicing for more than three years, this shows that they enjoy it and are very dedicated to helping others. Massage is a skill that must be learned through experience. So make sure your therapist has invested some time in the field.



I hope theses simple questions will help you find some of the best massage therapist in the central Iowa area. Any professional massage therapist who enjoys the art of massage will be ready and willing to answer all of your questions.



If a therapist doesn't promptly return your phone call or seems frustrated when you ask your questions, then I strongly recommend that you stop doing business with them. If they don't seem professional during your conversations, then it would be best for you to try a different massage therapist.

Blades Massage and Wellness are certified massage therapist located in Des Moines. Blades Massage was voted one of the <a href=http://www.BladesMassage.com>Best Massages in Des Moines</a> by readers of Cityview in Des Moines, IA for the past 4 years.

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Blades Massage and Wellness, a photo by Des Moines Massage on Flickr.

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How to Find the Best Massage Therapist in Des Moines

If you don’t have a lot of experience with massage therapy, finding the best massage therapist in Des Moines, Iowa, can be a bit tricky. The idea of letting a stranger touch you from every which angle can be - understandably - a little discomforting. So you want to feel confident that your massage therapist is a properly trained professional that is going to look out for your well-being and give you the right treatment that your body needs.



But how do you know if you’ve selected the best massage therapist for you? Don’t worry...it’s simpler than you think to become a more discerning consumer. Here are some great ways for figuring out which massage therapists will work best for you:



● Call a few massage therapists and tell them the results you are looking for. Keep in mind the different types of massage we discussed and ask if they would recommend those types for massage to achieve your desired results.



● Make sure that the massage therapist you’re working with is fully trained, accredited, and licensed. Additionally, work under the assumption that the more education and training your massage therapist has, the better. Don’t be afraid to ask them about their qualifications and even ask for proof. After all, it’s your body.



● Realistically, most massage therapists you come across will already have these requirements taken care of. It now becomes a matter of your personal interaction with the massage therapist and their ability to cater their services around your specific needs. If you ask for a deep tissue massage, is that what you feel you’re getting? Does your body respond well to this massage therapist’s techniques, or should you consider trying someone else?



● Making sure that you have the right massage therapist should also be a long-term consideration. If you continue to have no pain relief after a few weeks, tell your massage therapist! You want a good, comfortable, rejuvenating experience every time and if they can’t provide that for you, there’s no reason to spend your hard-earned money on them.



Here are some good questions to ask your potential massage therapist:

● What are your qualifications? Are you fully licensed?

● What kind of training and background do you have?

● Are you able to provide the type of massage I need?

● What do you plan to do to help me out with the areas in which I’m hurting?

    ● Can you explain a few of your techniques and how they work?



If your massage therapist isn’t able to handle these basic questions, there’s a good chance you won’t want to pay them to massage you.



Blades Massage and Wellness is a certified, massage therapy and wellness center located in Des Moines, Iowa. Blades Massage has been voted one of the Best Massages in Des Moines by readers of Cityview Magazine in Des Moines for the past 4 years..





To discover “How To Find the Perfect Massage”, download our FREE guide at http://www.DesMoinesIowaMassage.com.